Tardy development

Tardy development or developmental delay is the condition where a child does not reach the proper growth milestones at the expected stage of growth. The delay in growth might be in the gross or fine motor, language, social, or cognitive skills. The signs of delayed growth are usually noticed by the parents and an early intervention in such condition can help the children and parents to cope with the problems in an efficient way possible. But it is important to note that every child is unique and they develop the milestones at different times. It is not necessary that a delay in growth is always a reason for concern.

The key developmental milestones

• Cognitive skills: are the ability to think, learn and solve problems, count, naming numbers, colors, and learning new words.
• Social and emotional skills: are the ability to communicate, make sounds, talk, to express feelings and control emotions, etc.
• Speech and language skills: is the ability to understand and respond to a language.
• Fine and gross motor skills: is the ability to use the muscles and control the movements of the body such as holding a finger, grasping an object, crawling, etc.
• Day to day activities: daily self care routine such as washing hands, eating, dressing up and bathing, etc.

Causes and risk factors of tardy development

The main cause of developmental delay is mostly due to any malnutrition or deficiency in the mother during pregnancy, birth infection or infection of the mother, birth injury, premature birth, etc. In some cases the cause is genetic or environmental in origin. Most of the time these delays are the result of some underlying medical conditions such as:

• Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
• Cerebral palsy
• Landau-Kleffner syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Genetic defect, such as Down syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Fragile X syndrome
• Birth complications

How to proceed with children in case of tardy development?

Every child is different and each of them develops at different rates. If there is any doubt or concern regarding the development of the child, it is better to consult a specialist and seek an early intervention. There are many specialized care centers and specialists to help with any delays in the motor or behavioral skills.

Developmental delays in children

There are different types of developmental delays in infants and children. The delays can affect any one or many of the key milestones of development such as motor skills, cognitive skills or behavioral skills. The most common delays are in the following areas:

• Delay in speech
• Disabilities with vision
• Delayed motor skills
• Delay in social and emotional skills
• Delay in cognitive skills

When to seek medical help and treatment

Some of the signs of normal development are rolling over, crawling, talking, walking, etc. Sometimes it may be a little late in some children but it is not a severe or alarming concern. When a child is unable to do such activities within the marked time period, it maybe a tardy development or developmental delay and medical help and support can be sought. The time period and the corresponding milestones are:

• 6 months: Rolling over on the front and back, proper head control, sitting up with support and babbling.
• 9 months: Crawling, sitting without support, responding when spoken to.
• 12-15 months: Child can say 1-2 words, can stand without support and begins to walk.
• 2 years: Child starts to speak at least about 10-15 words and start walking without any support.

Homeopathic medicines for developmental delays

Calcarea Carbonica: It is indicated for fatty, fair and flabby children with red face. The kids are slow in learning to walk and have slow dentition. They are obese, with a big head and large belly and are sluggish, dull and lethargic in nature. Delayed closure of anterior fontanelle and the bones are soft and develop very slowly. It is a very good remedy for difficult and delayed dentition. Profuse sweating during sleep especially on the head and chest. Very slow in absorbing and poor concentration. Physically and mentally weak.

Calcarea Phosphorica: It is the best homeopathic medicine for slow mental and physical growth in children. They are late in learning to walk and talk. The bones are very brittle and develop slowly. The skull is soft, thin and brittle, the teeth develop slowly and the posterior fontanelle is very late to close. The children have sunken, flabby abdomen. The child is shy and is prone to glandular affections.

Baryta Carbonicum: It is indicated for children who are dwarfish, both mentally and physically, dull minded and are slow to learn. There is delay in speech and walking. Retarded growth after any trauma or vaccination. Children tend to be very shy and hide behind parents, are scared of strangers. Weak memory, difficult to understand and are both mentally and physically weak.

Aethusa cynapium: The child cannot stand, sit up or hold the head up. Very weak and want of power to stand up. Inability to digest milk. The child is always in a state of anguish, crying with an expression of discomfort.

Nartrum muriaticum: It is best suited for children who begin to talk late, extremely cross, irritable and dislike company. Rapid emaciation despite eating well. They are physically short and lean.

Silicea: It is indicated where the children are rachitic with large heads and open fontanelles and sutures. Weak extremities and slow in learning to walk. Imperfect assimilation and wasting of the body, especially the legs. The children are thin, pale and take cold easily. The child is difficult, indifferent and very sensitive in nature.

Tuberculinum: It is one of the best remedy for development delay with rapid emaciation. Tendency to catch cold easily and lose weight while eating well. It is one of the best intercurrent remedies in case of delay in growth. Excessive sweating with great prostration.

Antimony crudum: It is very useful in children who are very obese and irritable in nature. The children are very irritable, emotional and sensitive. The children hate to be touched and are prone to gastric complaints.

Cina: This is a best homeopathic remedy for children who are very intolerant, irritable, obstinate and hate to be touched. Wants to be carried all the time. Great restlessness and irritability from worm troubles. The child keeps rubbing at the pillow while sleeping.

Chamomilla: This remedy is indicated for children who are very sensitive to noise, pain and people. They break into rage or frenzy and tantrums for no reason and are very difficult to handle. Tendency to become violent. Children are restless and want to be carried all the time. Trouble concentrating and are dissatisfied with everything.

Some of the best homeopathic medicines for tardy development are Schwabe India’s, Biocombination No. 21, Biocombination No. 22, Biocombination No. 24, Biocombination No. 27, Biocombination No. 28, Calcarea phosphorica, Kali phosphoricum, Five Phos and Silicea, etc.